Posts Tagged ‘plane crash’

Learjet Dodges Blame for AM, Barker Crash

January 22nd, 2009

 Learjet, the company who supplied DJ AM and Travis Barker’s private plane when it crashed on Sept. 19, says it’s not to blame for the tragedy that killed four people.

E! News is reporting that the company claims that flight operators were really responsible for the crash.

"Learjet alleges that any and all conditions [of the aircraft] if there were, were solely a result of the failure to properly maintain and service the aircraft," the company said in court papers filed in L.A. superior court last Friday.

 


In its filing, Learjet claims that the damages "allegedly sustained" by the plaintiffs "were either excessive, exaggerated, unreasonable, speculative, inflated or otherwise unnecessary and/or unrelated to the alleged incident."

 

According to the company, the downed aircraft "did not contain a dangerous or defective condition, which in any manner may have contributed to [Barker and Still's] alleged injuries."

 

In its defense, Learjet says that any malfunction was due to a possible modification, unsanctioned use of the plane or simple failure to adequately inspect the aircraft, saying that the "damages, if any, may have been caused by misuse."

 

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the crash and has yet to release any findings regarding the cause.

DJ AM Sues Over Plane Crash

December 24th, 2008

DJ AM has just filed a lawsuit in the plane crash that killed four people and seriously injured him last September.

According to TMZ, AM, a.k.a. Adam Goldstein, claims as the jet reached takeoff speed the pilots became aware one or more of the tires had blown. The suit says, "Rather than proceed to takeoff, they decided to abort and/or reject the takeoff in a negligent manner." The plane overshot the runway and burst into flames.

 
DJ AM is suing the estates of the two pilots, Sarah Lemmon and James Bland, both of whom were killed in the crash. He’s also suing Clay Lacy Aviation, Global Exec Aviation, Inter Travel & Services Inc. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co, and Learjet.

AM wants pain and suffering, lost earnings, property damage, past and future medical and health-related expenses, and punitive damages.

 

Travis Barker has also filed a similar suit.

 

Shanna Moakler: “We’re Investing in a Tour Bus”

October 30th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Shanna Moakler is opening up about the horrific plane crash that killed four people and severely injured her ex-husband, Travis Barker.

In her first interview since the crash, the former Miss USA tells Extra how she first heard the news, and how Barker ultimately survived.

 

"I just got that phone call that you dread getting in the middle of the night," she says. "I actually thought when the phone rang, that it was Travis saying, ‘Oh, we landed in L.A. and I’m coming home to you babe.’"

Moakler, who has an on-again, off-again relationship with Barker, says when she first saw him in the hospital, they "both cried. We were really happy to see one another," she says. Of the six people on the plane that night (two pilots and four passengers), only Travis and DJ friend Adam Goldstein survived.

"They were in the back of the plane and Travis remembered where the emergency exit was," she says, adding, "It’s miraculous."

Oddly enough, Moakler says Travis–who hated flying– had a bad feeling about the flight the night of the crash.

"Before he left, he had taken pictures of the plane and sent them to me," she recalls. "He said, ‘I don’t have a good feeling about this plane.’ I said, ‘Please be safe.’ He had a feeling something was about to happen."

Roughly a month later, Moakler says Barker is doing well and "is starting to excercise, do therapy. So hopefully we will see a big AM/Travis show in the future." She adds, "We’re probably not going to be flying anytime soon, at all. We are going to invest in a tour bus."

As for the couple’s relationship today, Moakler says, "We’re parents first. Travis is my family and he always will be my family. I have a profound love for him. I’ve learned that I am very appreciative and thankful for Travis in my life."

When it comes to the topic of remarriage, the former beauty queen says, "I don’t know," but adds that she’d love to have more kids. "I’m kind of crazy. I’d actually love two more but I think just one–one and I’m going to be done."

Tune in to the full interview on Friday’s Extra!

 

DJ AM to Tour with Jay-Z

October 14th, 2008

DJ AM, a.k.a. Adam Goldstein, seems to be recovering well from a plane crash that killed four people and injured fellow musician  Travis Barker.  On Wednesday night, the celebrity DJ will be back behind the turntables for a Jay-Z gig in Hollywood.

According to his publicist, AM will DJ the rapper’s show, marking the opening of the Palladium Theater.  AM will also be travelling with Jay-Z to two other tour dates in Houston, Texas, and Charlottesville, Virginia.

AM said recently that the gig with Jay-Z is "The biggest thing that’s happened in my career."  He was released from an Atlanta burn center less than a week after suffering severe burns in a plane crash that killed both pilots and two passengers on September 19.  He and Barker are expected to make a full recovery.

Wednesday’s show will be AM’s first since the crash.  Tonight fellow DJ Mark Ronson, Steve Aoki, Mix Master Mike and others will host a party for DJ AM, with proceeds going to the crash victims’ families.

 

DJ AM’s Friends to Throw Benefit Concert

October 8th, 2008

Friends of DJ AM, who on September 19 was severely burned when his plane crashed over Columbia, South Carolina, are throwing a party to welcome the celebrity deejay home.

On Tuesday, pals Mark Ronson, Cut Chemist, Steve Aoki and others will perform at a benefit concert at the Avalon in Hollywood.  All proceeds will go towards memorial funds for the crash victims.

AM (whose real name is Adam Goldstein) and former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker were the only survivors of the crash, which killed both pilots and two passengers.

Nicole Richie Not with DJ AM

September 22nd, 2008

While her ex-fiance, DJ AM, recovers in a Georgia burn center following Friday’s tragic plane crash that killed four others, Nicole Richie is in L.A., her rep confirmed.

"Nicole Richie did not fly anywhere Saturday and on Sunday, was in L.A., celebrating her birthday," her rep told Extra on Monday. 

Nicole, who now has a baby girl with boyfriend Joel Madden, began dating AM, a.k.a. Adam Goldstein, in 2004. The pair announced their engagement a year later in 2005 but ultimately called it off.

Meanwhile, singer Gavin DeGraw tells OK!: 

 

"My heart goes out to the friends and families of those affected by this tragedy.  I wish Travis and Adam the best during their recovery."

Learjet Crew Died from Smoke, Burns

September 22nd, 2008

Officials say the pilot and co-pilot killed in the Learjet crash in South Carolina that  critically injured Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and DJ AM died from smoke inhalation and burns.  Two other passengers on board died on impact.

Barker and AM were taken to a Georgia burn hospital where they are being treated for second and third degree burns but they are expected to make a full recovery.

The pilot and co-pilot were burned on their entire bodies and died within minutes of the plane’s crash into an embankment about a quarter of a mile from the end of the airport’s runway, according to Brian Setree, chief deputy cororner for Lexington County.

The two passengers, who were close friends of the musicians, died on impact and showed no signs of smoke in their lungs, Setree said.

 
On Monday, Travis Barker’s ex-wife, Shanna Moakler, released the following statement:

"There are not enough words to express how thankful we are for the outpouring of love and support we have received during this difficult time.  We can only ask for prayers as we heal and mourn the loss of our dear friends who we considered part of our family.  Our lives will be changed forever."

The National Transportation Safety Board has yet to determine what caused the crash.  However, a cockpit voice recorder reportedly revealed that crew members thought a tire blew and tried to abort the takeoff but couldn’t stop the plane.

The Learjet 60 shot off the runway just before midnight on Friday, ripped through a fence and crossed a highway before coming to rest engulfed in flames.

 

Setree said it wasn’t possible to determine if the crew members were conscious after the plane came to rest. A witness who came upon the scene moments after the crash said he discovered Barker and AM  in the street near the fiery wreck as they frantically tried to douse their burning clothes.

 

The jet, which was headed for Van Nuys, Calif., is owned by Global Exec Aviation, a California-based charter company, and was certified to operate last year.

NTSB member Debbie Hersman has said pieces of tire were recovered about 2,800 feet from where the plane started its takeoff down the 8,600-foot runway.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. manufactured the tires on the Learjet, the company said Monday.

”We have been contacted by the NTSB and will cooperate fully with its investigation,” Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey said in a statement. ”Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this accident.”

Travis Barker & DJ AM Critically Injured in Plane Crash

September 20th, 2008

 Travis Barker and DJ AM have been critically injured in a fatal plane crash that killed four others near South Carolina.

Barker and AM’s Learjet 60 crashed during takeoff from South Carolina’s Columbia Metropolitan Airport just before midnight on Friday.  The plane was headed to Van Nuys, Calif.

During a press conference late Saturday morning, a spokeswoman for the National Transportation Safety Board said the plane overran the airstrip and proceeded to hit several of the airport’s lights and antenna before hitting an embankment off Highway 302.

Barker and DJ AM are being treated for severe burns at an Augusta, Georgia burn center.  Barker was transported by ground to the burn facility.  DJ AM was airlifted.

 

The four dead have been identified as pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim Hills, Calif., co-pilot James Bland, 52, of Carlsbad, Calif., Travis’s assistant, Chris Baker, 29, of Studio City, Calif., and Charles Still, 25, of L.A., Calif. 

 
Air traffic controllers reportedly "saw sparks coming from the runway" before the crash.  Investigators don’t know if that was from the aircraft or its engines.

South Carolina resident, William Owens, was driving down a highway next to the airport when he said he saw a fireball go across the road.  He told local TV station WIS News 10:

"I didn’t know what I had seen–it was maybe 800 feet in front of me, but as I approached it closer though I made out the fire.  By then I was able to see the tail of the jet and I recognized it as a jet," Owens said.  "[the plane] It’s in flames and the fuel is running across the road and I had to cross the highway."

According to Owens, two men (presumably Travis and DJ AM) were running around and stripping down to extinguish themselves.  He said he asked the men if there was anyone else on board the plane and they told him there had been four more with them.

 

"We turned to the jet to try and see if there was anything we could do, but immediately, there was nothing anyone could do," Owens said.

Barker and AM were in Columbia, South Carolina Friday night for a T-Mobile sponsored concert at Five Points, a popular shopping district.

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